Gear on my mind...

[technofan]

This is what is going on inside my head at the moment... (which is much more than what usually goes on...)

Nikon D300s? Canon 7D? Nikon D300s? Canon 7D? Nikon D300s? Cano.... etc, etc, etc....

I will be letting go of my current gear soon and will be getting one of the above (can't decide yet). I have had a consumer level Canon before in the guise of a Rebel 350d, but have never owned Nikon. Either way it is really a lens question.

Once I have the camera I want a best value zoom in the 100-400 equivalent range or thereabouts. This is because I like portrait work and also find the zoom great for getting really tight shots. I also like to shoot some sports from time to time. I can't afford the £1500+ price tag for the good glass but will spend around £500-£600 (second-hand if required) for something that can deliver quality.... but note I can't tolerate a lens that will not give consistent sharp results with good AF....

Can anyone suggest something? I would even consider a prime if it fell around the 250mm equivalent.
Cheers everybody....please don't gear bash each other I am just after the pro's of what you have...

Pete

[allymac123]

Canon 7d and Canon 70-200 F4L IS? One of Canon's sharpest ever lenses.

[technofan]

Originally Posted by allymac123

Canon 7d and Canon 70-200 F4L IS? One of Canon's sharpest ever lenses.

Thank you for the suggestion... Having slept on this I am heading for the D300s, until I started to think about the D700 that is!!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaghh:

OK D700 for the £1650 mark or D300s for £1150 mark....

Should I ask the audience or phone a friend....

If you could choose what would you have? Is the extra cost worth it for a full frame camera???????????????

Pete

Or even the 5D mark 2 at around £1700................help I'm in pain!!! Got to get this right, it's sooooo much money and common sense tells me D300s for a great all rounder... but the full frame??????? elp

[johnaalex]

I think you maybe better sticking with DX as reach seems to be one of your requirements and the 1.5x crop factor is very handy. How about going for a second hand D300 if you do not need video. Also I think you are better off buying the best lenses you can afford as bodies come and go but quality glass is forever.

[technofan]

Originally Posted by johnaalex

I think you maybe better sticking with DX as reach seems to be one of your requirements and the 1.5x crop factor is very handy. How about going for a second hand D300 if you do not need video. Also I think you are better off buying the best lenses you can afford as bodies come and go but quality glass is forever.

Well said John... I will NOT be skimping on glass... I learned that lesson the hard way in the past

The D300 is not really cheap enough to warrant not getting the D300s new. I can get the 300s for around £1120 from RGB photo and hope my local LCE will price match. That way I get piece of mind on a new product (this is hugely important to me as the cameras are sooo expensive) rather than saving some cash (maybe £300) on a camera with a history that may not be verifiable.. I know many people simply say the D300 is the same as D300s but without the video but I suspect there is more to it than that with the internals/electronics?

Thanks for helping John